Swerdia

Swerdia Sverland (Swathish)
State
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname:  The Evergreen State
Motto(s):  Þurh vẹrc, griþ "Through labour, propserity"
Anthem: Ẹld Lang Syþþn
Location of Swerdia within Estmere Location of Swerdia within Estmere
Country	Template:Country data Estmere
Established	13 June 1938
Capital	Tolbury
Government
• Type	Semi-parliamentary constituent state within a federal republic
• Body	Folkmoot
• First Minister	Herm Vaġner (PSD)
• Governing parties	PSD / PS
Population  (2018)
• Total	6,761,165
Demonym	Swerdian
Official languages	Estmerish Swathish

Swerdia (Swathish: Sverland), sometimes archaically known as Lower Swerdia (Swathish: Niþersverland), is a state within Estmere. It has a population of 6,761,165. Tolbury is the capital and largest city of Swerdia, while Longwood and Witburgh are other important Swerdian cities. The state shares internal borders with the West Counties, Midland and Scitterland, and borders the countries of Kirenia, Alsland, Werania and Borland.

Modern Swerdia was created in 1938, drawing on the region’s heritage to create a unified state in a newly-federal Estmere. It was named for the ancient Swerdians, one of the Old Swathish tribes, and was intended to be a majority Swathish-speaking state. Prior to its creation as an Estmerish state, the region was primarily understood in terms of the five constituent counties. It was part of Saint Edward’s realm of Northmoria, and remained under the rule of his descendents even after the Conquest of Estmere. It was home to the birthplace of Johanne Stearn, and became a heartland of the Amendist Reaction. The northern peripheries of the region were fought over in the numerous Neevan Wars, and much of the region was occupied by the Weranian Republic during the Weranian Revolutionary Wars. As part of the Industrial Revolution, the region became an economic hub, as coal, iron and salt mines grew in prominence. The region was home to the last holdouts of Estmerish resistance during the Great War. Post-war, the state saw a decline in economic fortunes as deindustrialisation occurred, but has begun to see recovery as the economy shifts to tourism and newly valuable minerals such as lithium are uncovered. Agriculture remains a major industry.

Swerdia is dominated by the Neeves, which separates the northernmost county of Longwoodshire from the counties of Tolburyshire, Swarbergshire, Witburshire and Halfhilshire. The presence of the Neeves has impacted the culture of the region, and Swerdia is considered distinctly Neevan. Swerdia shares cultural ties with the Swathish Community in Alsland, which was historically considered part of the greater Swerdian region.

As an Estmerish state, Swerdia has an elected state government. The state government is assembled based in its ability to command the confidence of the region’s legislature, the Folkmoot. Swathish independence is a salient political issue in the state. The current government is a coalition between the Swerdian Progressive Social Democrats and the Party of the Swathish, led by First Minister Herm Vaġner.